Andy Murray named Australian Open fourth seed

Andy Murray has been named fourth seed for the Australian Open as he prepares for a return to the grand slam scene following a two-month injury lay-off.

World number ones Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams have been installed as top seeds for the tournaments, which begin on Monday.

Murray has dropped just one place – behind Spain’s David Ferrer - in the standings since undergoing back surgery in September and the seedings dictate that the Wimbledon champion can’t face Nadal or defending champion Novak Djokovic until the semi-finals.

Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro is seeded fifth ahead of 17-time grand slam champion Roger Federer, with Tomas Berdych, Stanislas Wawrinka, Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga making up the top 10.

The top 28 seeds correspond directly to the rankings but Canada's Vasek Pospisil, who lost in qualifying 12 months ago, is elevated to 29th because of Jurgen Melzer's withdrawal through injury.

Spain's Fernando Verdasco is the 32nd and final seed.

Williams, who warmed up for the Australian Open by winning the title in Brisbane last week, heads defending champion Victoria Azarenka and fit-again Maria Sharapova in the women's seedings.